United States Grand Prix 1959 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Bruce McLaren became the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner at the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Sebring, claiming victory at just 22 years old when championship leader Jack Brabham ran out of fuel on the final lap. The young New Zealander's breakthrough victory at Sebring launched a legendary career. Maurice Trintignant finished second for Cooper, with Tony Brooks third for Ferrari. Brabham famously pushed his Cooper across the finish line to secure fourth place and enough points to clinch the World Championship.

Brabham's championship confirmation despite running out of fuel on the final lap became one of Formula 1's most iconic moments, as the Australian refused to surrender and pushed his car to the finish. The image of the World Champion pushing his Cooper became symbolic of his determination and work ethic. Brabham's title represented multiple firsts: the first rear-engine championship, the first for an Australian driver, and the first for Cooper as a constructor.

McLaren's victory made him the youngest Grand Prix winner in history, a record that stood for decades. The American debut at Sebring marked Formula 1's attempt to establish a presence in the lucrative US market, beginning a long and often challenging relationship with American motorsport. For Cooper, the championship double validated their revolutionary engineering philosophy and confirmed that the rear-engine era had definitively begun. Every competitive Formula 1 car would adopt rear-engine configuration within two years, completing the revolution that Cooper had started.